Remains of WWII Pilot Identified Decades After His Bomber Crashed in Papua New Guinea

Over eighty years after his plane went down during a mission in World War II, the remains of U.S. Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Herbert G. Tennyson, a pilot from Wichita, Kansas, have been identified. Tennyson was among the eleven aircrew members aboard the “Heaven Can Wait” bomber when it crashed in Papua New Guinea in March 1944. News of the identification, made possible through the tireless efforts of the Defense Prisoners of War/Missing in Action Accounting Agency (DPAA) and partner organizations, brings a measure of closure to Tennyson’s family and highlights the ongoing commitment to account for those lost in past conflicts.

The Heaven Can Wait bomber was engaged in a mission to strike Axis forces at the Boram Airfield when tragedy struck. According to the DPAA, the aircraft was hit by intense anti-aircraft fire, leading to the detonation of the bombs it carried. The resulting explosion caused the plane to crash violently, leaving no visible survivors at the site. Despite searches conducted by other aircraft following the incident, no one was found alive, and the crew was initially declared missing in action.

Tennyson, only 24 years old at the time of his death, piloted the B-24 Liberator bomber, named after the popular 1943 film. The aircraft was a workhorse of the U.S. war effort, capable of flying long-range missions and participating in numerous sorties during WWII. The loss of the Heaven Can Wait marked the end of its service record, adding a somber chapter to its history.

The U.S. military officially declared the crew and the aircraft missing in action in 1950. For decades, the fate of the Heaven Can Wait remained a mystery, with little hope of ever recovering the remains of those who perished in the crash. That changed through the dedication of the DPAA, Project Recover, and the involvement of family members who sought to learn more about the circumstances surrounding the loss of their loved ones.

Scott Althaus, the first cousin once-removed of 2nd Lt. Thomas V. Kelly, the bomber’s Bombardier, played a significant role in unraveling the mystery. Driven by a desire to understand the past, Althaus and his relatives delved into historical documents, military records, and other sources of information related to the Heaven Can Wait mission. The discovery of a collection of letters written by Kelly before his death provided a personal connection to the lost airman, offering insights into his daily life, experiences, and aspirations.

Althaus diligently gathered information about the approximate location of the crash, eyewitness accounts of the incident, and diary entries from soldiers aboard other aircraft that flew with the bomber. He then shared his findings with Project Recover, a nonprofit organization dedicated to searching for and locating missing service members in collaboration with the DPAA.

In 2017, Project Recover located the wreckage of the Heaven Can Wait in Hansa Bay at a depth of 213 feet. Utilizing sonar, imaging devices, and unmanned aerial and underwater robots, the organization was able to confirm the suspected crash site based on Althaus’ research and other available information. The discovery marked a significant breakthrough in the effort to account for the missing crew.

Following the discovery by Project Recover, the DPAA sent the U.S. Navy Experimental Diving Unit to the crash site in 2019 to verify the location of the Heaven Can Wait. After delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the unit conducted another dive in 2023 and recovered portions of the aircraft, as well as personal effects such as life support equipment and identification tags. These items were sent to the DPAA laboratory for analysis.

The DPAA laboratory employed a range of scientific techniques to identify the remains recovered from the wreckage. Dental and anthropological analysis, along with material and circumstantial evidence, were used to identify 1st Lt. Tennyson. Scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System further confirmed the identification through mitochondrial DNA analysis.

In September, prior to Tennyson’s identification, the remains of Bombardier 2nd Lt. Thomas V. Kelly and Radio Operator Staff Sgt. Eugene J. Darrigan were repatriated. Althaus said that the discovery had brought his family closure and a profound emotional reaction.

While the remains of Tennyson, Kelly, and Darrigan have been identified, the remains of eight other aircrew members from the Heaven Can Wait mission have yet to be publicly identified. They include Staff Sgt. Donald W. Burd, Staff Sgt. John W. Emmer Jr., Technical Sergeant Edward Gorvetzian, Staff Sgt. Walter W. Graves, Staff Sgt. Paul W. Martin, 2nd Lt. Michael J. McFadden Jr., Staff Sgt. Eugene A. Reinhardt and 2nd Lt. Donald W. Sheppick. The DPAA continues its efforts to identify the remaining crew members, offering hope to their families that they too may one day receive closure.

All eleven members of the Heaven Can Wait crew were posthumously awarded the Air Medal and a Purple Heart, recognizing their service and sacrifice during World War II. Their names are inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines, a testament to their dedication and commitment to their country.

According to Project Recover, more than 81,000 Americans are still missing in action from World War II to the present day. These missing service members are believed to be connected to over 5 million family members, highlighting the far-reaching impact of these losses. "This is a scale of connection that is actually quite large," said Althaus, underscoring the significance of the DPAA’s work in bringing closure to families and honoring the sacrifices made by those who served. "Yet it’s so unusual for one of these missing to be found and to be brought home."

The identification of 1st Lt. Herbert G. Tennyson’s remains is a testament to the unwavering commitment of the DPAA, Project Recover, and other organizations to account for those missing in action. It serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by service members and the importance of honoring their memory. As the DPAA continues its efforts to identify the remains of those who remain missing, the hope of bringing closure to families and fulfilling the nation’s promise to never forget those who served endures.